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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Comments on the Braley-Argos Issue

In response to media inquiries regarding a newspaper article published earlier today, below are statements from the Canadian Football League.

A Statement from Toronto Argonauts owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon:"To encourage the purchase of the Toronto Argonauts during a very difficult time in the team's history, David Braley offered financial assistance to us to make the transaction more attractive. This did not breach the league's Constitution or its bylaws. David Braley is not an owner of the Toronto Argonauts and has never been an owner of the Toronto Argonauts nor has he directed in any way the team's operations. David Braley is a staunch supporter of the CFL and has only ever acted to protect the league's best interests."

A Statement from B.C. Lions owner David Braley: "I am a passionate supporter of our country and those things which make it unique and strong, including the Canadian Football League. For that reason, at a difficult time in the history of the Toronto Argonauts, I offered Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon financial assistance. While I am always willing to share my business advice and counsel with any of my fellow governors, I have never directed the operations of the Toronto Argonauts, and I have certainly never been an owner of the Toronto Argonauts."

A Statement from Canadian Football League Commissioner Mark Cohon:

"Our league is an important Canadian icon, and our fans have every right to expect our governors to do two things: compete with everything they've got on the field, and work together in the best interests of the league, off the field. I have been informed that British Columbia Lions owner David Braley provided financial assistance to Toronto Argonaut owners Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon, as they sought to strengthen our league by strengthening a storied franchise in our largest city. There has been no suggestion, nor is there any evidence, that this financial transaction had any effect whatsoever on the competitive integrity of our game. There is every indication that all three of these gentlemen acted, and continue to act, out of love for the Canadian Football League and respect for its fans. There has also been no breach of the league's Constitution or its bylaws. However, there is clearly a need for improved transparency in such matters. And I intend to work with our Board of Governors to revise our rules so that such financial transactions, no matter how well intended, must be shared with the Commissioner and all governors. I am confident that our teams are competing with everything they've got on the field, and our governors are working in the best interests of our league, off the field. I want our procedures strengthened to ensure perception always matches reality in this regard."

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About Me

This is mainly a Regina sports blog, but you will get information and thoughts from me on a number of topics some that aren't even sports related. You can see me on Access 7 in Regina co-hosting a local one hour sports program called Locker Talk highlighting Regina sports. You can hear me reading afternoon news and sports on 620 CKRM in Regina along with co-hosting "Sportscage" on same station from time to time. I'm also a part of Sask Roughriders broadcast on CKRM and I write feature articles for the Riders on their website Riderville.com.